Thyroid Gland

Hallo Doctor I'm an Optometrist, and I would like to know the effect the thyroid gland - hyper or hypo - has on eyes, from 2 aspects From the medical way of looking and of course from the point of view of optometry (changing the nomber?)j Thanks in advanced Tzvia

Hello Tzvia, Hyperthyroidism typically causes Grave's Ophthalmopathy, including exophthalmos and lid lag. Advanced stages may lead to exposure keratitis, diplopia, reduced visual acuity, compressive neuropathy, etc. Hypothyroidism may cause periorbital swelling, loss of eyebrows, and, more unusually, glaucoma. Shift of refractive power is not mentioned in either case. Dr. D. Rozenbaum